BIOMASS HUB

The Global Biofuels Center (GBC), a division of Hart Energy Consulting, recently released a report finding that the number of next generation biofuels projects reached 200 globally beyond the more than 100 Brazilian bioethanol facilities that will qualify as “Advanced Biofuels” in the U.S.

These projects include production of cellulosic ethanol, hydrogenated vegetable oil renewable diesel and renewable diesel obtained through gasification and the FT process, bio-methanol, renewable gasoline and bio-dimethyl ether (DME).

Most of the projects are still under construction or in the planning phase. Still, the number of pilot or demonstration plants operating now is 58, a 29% increase since September 2009, indicating funding that went into research in next generation biofuels is leading to some progress. However, the number of plants under construction fell by 50% over this time period.

Tammy Klein, Assistant VP of Hart Energy Consulting, explains:

This only underscores the key issue of obtaining funding for moving forward with building commercialscale facilities. As most operators announce 2010 or 2011 as the start of operation for their projects, this year and next year are going to show whether the promised volumes will be on the market or not. The situation could change rapidly and we will update this report twice in 2010 for our membership.

The report includes a complete matrix of the plants including company name, process, feedstock, status and plant capacity. Other key findings:

• The U.S. is the country with the most demand for next generation biofuels as specific volumes are required in the RFS2 policy, but Asia is developing a greater next generation biofuels capacity than the U.S.
• Only six facilities are fully commercial at present worldwide.
• It appears 32 projects have been discontinued altogether.

More information on the global biofuels outlook report.